Brook Hubbard

A college degree is an investment to improve your life, not burden you with debt. MECC’s tuition is thousands less than other local colleges and universities and we do not participate in the federal student loan program. MECC offers financial aid in the form of scholarships and grants which do not need to be repaid. With 96% of students receiving financial assistance, a higher education doesn’t have to come at a high price. Full and part-time students who are enrolled in a program of study at MECC may apply for financial aid to take credit classes.

Click each heading below for additional information.

Obtain a Federal Student Aid ID (FSA ID) . This is used as your electronic signature to sign your FAFSA.  For more information on creating your FSA ID, please view the video at Creating Your Own FSA ID.

Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.studentaid.gov and use the MECC school code 009629 on the application. Once you have submitted your FAFSA it typically takes several days for the Department of Education to process and make it available to MECC. You can check the status of your financial aid file at MECC by viewing the Student Center of your myMECC online account.

Click the link below for a quick video on how to access and navigate your student center.” www.mecc.edu/fa-videos.

2023 – 2024 STUDENT BUDGETS

Cost of Attendance (COA) is the amount it will cost a student to go to school. COA includes not only direct expenses like tuition and fees, but also indirect expenses like books, course materials, living expenses like housing and food, transportation expenses, the cost of obtaining your first professional licensure as required by your program and other miscellaneous expenses.  A full-time student budget will be used by the Financial Aid Office to calculate the estimated need for students expected to enroll for two academic terms.  Additional budget allowances for handicap costs ($1,200) will be made for students who apply and do not have such costs covered by outside agencies.  Nursing and Respiratory Care students will be provided with an additional allowance ($3,000) for uniforms and travel.  Out-of-state students will receive an additional budget allowance for tuition of $5,602 ($8,004 for 11 months).

IN-STATE
Budget #1 – 9 Months Budget #2 – 11 Months
Tuition and Fees (14 crs F/Sp; 12 crs Sum) $4,540 $6,430
Books & Supplies $1,500 $2,250
Student’s Housing/Food $4,500 $5,500
Miscellaneous Personal Expenses $1,350 $1,650
Transportation $6,696 $8,184
Total $18,586 $24,014
OUT-OF-STATE
Budget #3 – 9 Months Budget #4 – 11 Months
Tuition and Fees (14 crs F/Sp; 12 crs Sum) $10,142 $14,433
Books & Supplies $1,500 $2,250
Student’s Housing/Food $4,500 $5,500
Miscellaneous Personal Expenses $1,350 $1,650
Transportation $6,696 $8,184
Total $24,188 $32,017
LESS THAN HALF-TIME ATTENDANCE BUDGET
IN-STATE
9 Months 11 Months
Tuition and Fees $1,621 $2,432
Books & Supplies $376 $564
Transportation $1.674 $2,046
Total $3,671 $5,042
OUT-OF-STATE
9 Months 11 Months
Tuition and Fees $3,622 $5,433
Books & Supplies $376 $564
Transportation $1,674 $2,046
Total $5,672 $8,043
CONTRACT
9 Months 11 Months
Tuition and Fees (currently same as in-state) $2,456 $3,684
Books & Supplies $376 $564
Transportation $1,674 $2,046
Total $4,506 $6,294

Revised 9/7/2023  Mountain Empire Community College/Financial Aid-General/23-24 Forms and Info/Cost of Attendance 23-24

Although you can file the online FAFSA anytime, it is best to complete the FAFSA by the priority deadline of May 1st of the year that you plan to attend MECC.  This ensures that you will receive consideration for all available aid that you might qualify for.  The 2023-24 FAFSA covers the Summer 2023, Fall 2023, and Spring 2024 semesters.  You should try to complete the FAFSA at least two weeks prior to the first day of class of the first semester you attend.

Summer 23

  • May 30, 2023– Students whose awarded aid is greater than current charges can begin to charge in MECC‛s bookstore. You will need a copy of your class
    schedule and a picture ID.
  • June 1, 2023-First day of class —TUITION DUE.
  • June 12, 2023– Last date to drop with a refund for full summer session classes. Your financial aid will be based on the number of credits enrolled in as of this date.***
  • July 10, 2023 -Bookstore charging closes for the semester.
  • July 24, 2023-Summer aid will be disbursed to the business office and applied to your account charges.
  • First week of August-Refunds are processed for summer semester. There are multiple categories of financial aid that will be refunded, and it may take
    a few days for all refunds to be completed. You can manage how your refunds are received by clicking the SIS tile of your myMECC online account.

*** If you are thinking of withdrawing from a class or class(es) please contact the Financial Aid Office to discuss the impacts it may have on your account including but not limited to a debt owed to the school.

Fall 23

  • August 17, 2023-Students whose awarded aid is greater than current charges can begin to charge in MECC‛s bookstore. You will need a copy of your class schedule and a picture ID.
  • August 21, 2023-First day of fall semester classes—TUITION DUE.
  • September 6, 2023– Last date to drop with a refund for fall semester classes. Your financial aid will be based on the number of credits enrolled in as of this date.***
  • September 25-Financial aid will be disbursed to the business office and applied to your account charges. If you are enrolled in late starting classes your aid will not be disbursed until after the date to drop with a refund for your latest starting class. Future disbursements are processed the third week of each month.
  • First week of October-First group of refunds are processed for fall semester. There are multiple categories of financial aid that will be refunded, and it may take a few days for all refunds to be completed. You can manage how your refunds are received by clicking the SIS tile of your myMECC online account. Future refunds are processed during the first week of each month.

*** If you are thinking of withdrawing from a class or class(es) please contact the Financial Aid Office to discuss the impacts it may have on your account including but not limited to a debt owed to the school.

Contact the MECC Financial Aid Office

MECC Financial Aid Office
Fox Central-Holton Hall
3441 Mountain Empire Road
Big Stone Gap VA 24219

Phone (276) 523-7470
Email: fa@mecc.edu
FAX: (276) 523-9699

Financial Aid Special Circumstances
Financial aid eligibility is ordinarily determined using income information from approximately two years ago (i.e., 2021 tax information for the 2023-2024 academic year) and current assets as of the date the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is submitted. However, if the financial situation for you, your spouse (if applicable) or your parents (if parental information is provided on the FAFSA) has significantly changed from the information reported on the FAFSA, you may request a reconsideration of your aid.

Before submitting a reconsideration request you are encouraged to discuss your situation with a financial aid staff member. Guidance will be provided as to what information should be included in your written statement and the type of documentation you should provide with your request.

Unusual Circumstances Appeal
While most students under 24 will be required to include their parent(s)’ information on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), some students have unusual situations in which it is not possible to obtain parent information. In some cases, you may appeal for an override of your unusual circumstance.
Some examples of reasons you might submit an appeal for unusual circumstances are:

  • You are estranged from your parent(s) or were placed in the custody of a non-parent because of abuse or neglect,
  • Parent(s) is/are incarcerated or institutionalized,
  • Parent(s) live(s) in a war-torn country, and you are unable to contact them in any way,
  • Other documentable circumstances which demonstrate that parental information cannot or should not be obtained.

All unusual circumstances appeal will require documentation from an objective third party.
Per federal regulations, an unusual circumstances appeal cannot be based on any of the following:

  • Student financial self-sufficiency or not being claimed on the parent tax return,
  • Parental unwillingness to contribute to college costs,
  • Parents are unwilling to complete the FAFSA or provide documents or signatures for verification.

Federal Aid — To be considered for federally funded aid a current year FAFSA must be completed, and all requested documentation must be submitted.

  • Federal Pell Grant–Must complete the FAFSA and submit any required documentation. Eligibility primarily based on Expected Family Contribution (EFC) generated by FAFSA. Federal Pell Grant is awarded to eligible undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor’s or professional degree and have not completed 600% Lifetime Eligibility Units. 2023-24 EFC must be 6656 or less. Maximum award for 23-24 is $7395 as a full time student (12 or more credits per semester).
  • Federal Work Study–Provides part-time jobs for undergraduate students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay educational expenses. Eligible students who have been awarded other aid and wish to be considered for FWS are advised to contact the financial aid office at 276-523-7470 or fa@mecc.edu.
  • Federal Supplemental Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)–For undergraduate Federal Pell Grant recipients with exceptional financial need. Must complete the FAFSA and submit any required documentation. Eligible students are awarded until funds have been exhausted.

State Funded Aid — To be considered for state funded financial aid you must be a Virginia resident, complete the FAFSA and submit any required documentation. Eligible students are awarded until funds have been exhausted.

  • COMA (Commonwealth Grant)–Students receiving COMA must be domiciled in Virginia, show financial need and be enrolled in at least 6 credits. Individual awards range from $1,000 – $1,800 and can be used for tuition, fees, and books.
  • G3–To receive G3 funds students must be listed as a Virginia resident and have income less than or equal to 400% of poverty level. Students must be enrolled in a minimum of six credits per semester in an approved program.
  • PTAP–VCCS funded grant provides tuition assistance (no fees) to students in a degree or certificate program who enroll for at least 1 but less than 8 credits. Students must show need.
  • VGAP–Students must have achieved a 2.5 GPA, have exceptional financial need, and maintain full-time enrollment as a dependent student. Awards vary from $1,100-$1,900 and can be used for tuition, fees and books. Renewal student must maintain a 2.0 GPA and continuous fulltime enrollment. Renewal awards vary from $1,200 -$1,900.

Foundation Scholarships — To be considered for a scholarship provided by Mountain Empire’s Foundation you must complete the FAFSA, submit any required documentation, and complete the scholarship application at www.mecc.edu/scholarships.